{ making stamps }

I spent a lovely couple of hours yesterday afternoon in a nook of the Hondrake Japanese book store on Kent St. It was a fabulous location for my introduction to the craft of stamp making.

I'm holidays at the moment so when I saw this workshop on the very talented Riyo's blog, I thought why not? So wonderful to be able to do something like this during the week.

Riyo moved from Japan 2 years ago, in part to be inspired creatively by a different country. I was amazed - all I want to do is move to Japan as it's such a mecca for much of the craft I like (not to mention this, this, this, this, and so much more but I'm probably boring you now with all these links), and here's someone moving from Japan to Australia!!

I started really basic with my first stamp making a tree. It was in two parts but as you can see below, two really basic parts! The camera was a little trickier and the button was just at the end to use up a small piece.



We finished the afternoon with some homemade deserts. Unfortunately I didn't take my camera with me so go to this post of Riyo's to see the amazing green tea cheesecake! Apparently all workshops of this style in Japan finish with some sweet goodies like this.

Apart from me, all the participants were Japanese and reflecting later in the afternoon I realised how much I loved being part of something where I was totally included and part of something but also like I was a fly on the wall observing at the times they conversed between themselves in Japanese - I loved it! I often feel like that when I visit non-English speaking countries and it was so wonderful to experience similar right in my own backyard.

Just to round out my Japanese afternoon, I stopped by Kinokuniya as they have 20% off all craft books in February. This includes Japanese craft books as well. On 27 February they're holding the Kino Craft Fair from 12-4pm. I'll definitely be going along, hope to see you there!

{ winner }

Before Christmas I was very excited to win my first ever blog giveaway! It was from Lisa's lovely blog - The Red Thread, I recommend you only check it out if you have room on your blog list because you will want to add it for sure!! Lisa is such a wonderful artist and super lovely to boot!

Want to see what I won?


Beautiful Gocco'ed notebooks and gift tags, thank you Lisa.

{ thank you at work }

My first order to go out with the new wrap including the thank you cards I made on the Gocco.


I used to send out orders wrapped in white tissue paper with ribbon but I really love brown paper so I've been looking at ways to use that instead.

It's so great getting things in the post and I especially love it when care has been taken with the presentation. What about you - does the way an online order arrives to you make a difference?

{ thank you }

I finally got my Gocco out last night. A bit embarrassed to admit that I've had one since late 2007 and this is my first solo go. Late last year we had a demo at my craft group and I think that really helped. I also wasn't sure what I wanted to print until now so that held me back.

For some time now I've been throwing together little thank you cards to go out with my orders, always thinking that I wanted to have something set up and easy to write a little handmade message on and attach to orders, and now I do - yay!


Here's a mid print shot to prove I really did use the Gocco!



I'm really loving what I call the Wild West font - do you have a favourite font?

{ my sunday }

Yes, my desk is often this messy. I do clean it up, but I often wonder what the point of that is when it just gets messy again the minute my back is turned.

Lots of cutting today. My stock levels dropped in the Christmas lead-up, something I'm very grateful for -thank you to my wonderful customers. Making lots of sales also means lots of fun making new books. I'm right in the middle of that today, most of which I spent cutting down the boards and then selecting and cutting down the paper for the covers.

Also, I found my camera so here are some shots of the box I made last weekend. I'm really happy with it despite 2 mis-measurements. I managed to over-come them to the point that probably (hopefully) only I can see them and I'm going to keep it that way and not point them out!

{ i need a deadline }

It's taken me until my last 2 days of 10 days leave to get cracking on my creative to-do list. It's not news to me that I need a deadline to get into action, it's always been that way, but it's surprising when it's things I actually want to do and don't have to do - why is that?

Here's what I've been up to:

* Attempt 1 of a display folder for kids artwork. Covers are sandwiched within drying boards at the moment, will check them tomorrow night, put them together and see how they look

* Two months ago I did a course on making boxes, today was my first solo go. Just 3mm off perfect! Box making, like book, making is a precise endeavour.

* Re-teaching myself to knit. I've had it in my head that I'd like to make a knitted blanket for on the couch in winter, nothing too large. Also need a new project for craft group and I think there'll be others there who can help and motivate as needed.

* Finished Stieg Larsson's The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (great read). Moving on to one of my Chrissie presents - Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion.


Battling some last day of holiday blues tonight, but there's no putting it off I guess.

Sorry for no photos of my works in progress - can't find my camera!

{ knee deep in christmas tags }

I've been measuring and cutting and pasting and playing with ribbon etc putting together a little stockpile of Christmas gift tags for my stall on Sunday at the Eveleigh market.


Drop by and say hi if you're in the neighbourhood.